Iloilo's Creative Nanays Cookoff Celebrates Filipino Food Month with Culinary Showdown
Three groups of talented home cooks demonstrated their exceptional culinary skills in a high-stakes cookoff on April 8, 2026, at the bustling Iloilo Central Market. This exciting event, now in its second successful year, is known as the Creative Nanays Cookoff and serves as a vibrant highlight of the nationwide Filipino Food Month (FFM) celebrations. The competition is specifically designed to empower nanays, dedicated home cooks, and ambitious micro-entrepreneurs who operate small food businesses, providing them with a prestigious platform to showcase their creativity and passion for local cuisine.
Competing Groups and Their Ilonggo Creations
Representing Batch 3 of the innovative program, the competing groups included Madiskarteng Nanay, Big Tigers, and RRJ Moms. Each team meticulously prepared a selection of authentic Ilonggo endemic dishes, focusing on both lunch and appetiser categories. Their culinary creations highlighted the rich flavors, traditional techniques, and unique ingredients native to the Iloilo region, offering a delicious tribute to local gastronomic heritage.
Esteemed Judges and Expert Guidance
The cookoff was expertly guided by Chef Jose Ariel Castañeda, a distinguished Unesco Creative Gastronomy chef ambassador, who provided valuable insights and mentorship throughout the competition. The judging panel featured several prominent figures in the culinary and hospitality industries, including Myka Perlas-Rivera, the owner of Healthy Kitchen; Beatrice Genson, a dedicated Slow Food Iloilo Advocate; and Happy Abenir, the President of the Iloilo Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts Association. Their collective expertise ensured a fair and insightful evaluation of each dish based on taste, presentation, and authenticity.
Collaborative Efforts Behind the Celebration
The successful organization of the Filipino Food Month celebration and the Creative Nanays Cookoff was made possible through the collaborative efforts of multiple key organizations. These included the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Unesco National Commission of the Philippines, the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement, the Department of Tourism Western Visayas, the Department of Agriculture Western Visayas, and the Iloilo City Government, which provided support through the Iloilo City MICE Center. This partnership underscores a strong commitment to promoting Filipino culinary arts and supporting local food entrepreneurs.
